Small gifts to give girlfriends...

craftymomto3 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-18-2004, 07:23 AM

Does anyone have ideas of small gifts to give girl friends for various occasions...birthday's, Christmas, just for fun, etc...?

I love to give out gifts often and my budget is getting tighter so the gifts need to be under $5 a person. They don't have to be gift baskets because I've found those get pretty pricy as you get going. I've made bath products for friends, mixes in a jar, and kitchen utensils with fun sayings with them. Anything else you can think of in the past that you have received or given that you loved, especially if it's homemade?

RoseK82 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-18-2004, 07:33 AM

here's a hint...i know it may sound a lil dumb...but get some bridal catalogs...they have a bunch of stuff in there for really cheap...like i just found a dolphin bottle opener for $3...after i get married i'm still gonna use the bridal catalogs...they just have neat stuff in there...

but cookies...in a tin...
chocolates in celophane...
if u have kids...get kid prints w/clay...u could make a few of those...
just a few thoughts...

**ajrsmom** · #3 (**permalink**) 06-18-2004, 07:46 AM

a nice candle and a pretty votive cup

mini bottles of bath spritz ( like 3 different scents) tied together with a pretty bow.

nail polish and lipstick

shop yard and garage sales for books that are in perfect condition--add a pretty bookmark to it---even a nice mug ( another sale find) and some herbal teas.

Homemade mini soaps---The easiest way to do this is to melt down regular store bought soap and pour into molds if you dont want to be bothered with making your own soap. Add these to a pretty towel and washcloth set ---you can get nice sets at most Dollar Stores.

Picture of the 2 of you together doing some memorable. You could decorate a cheap frame to match the picture. Ex: if the 2 of you are at the beach, use shells around the frame.......

Chocolate!! Buy some melthing chocolate and dip pretzels, oreos, Ritz Bits mini PB crackers, cookies.....whatever she would like!

Tami

Irish Angel · #4 (**permalink**) 06-19-2004, 07:51 PM

great ideas.. I am bushed but I will post some ideas here tomorrow after church!

VickiLynn · #5 (**permalink**) 07-18-2004, 10:06 AM

Flowers

A small bouquet from a shop, grocery store, or your garden, or a single perfect rose.

Lynette · #6 (**permalink**) 07-30-2004, 06:20 PM

A set of (6 or any number) Handmade greeting cards/notes! I would love that anytime!

cynstenquist · #7 (**permalink**) 08-04-2004, 01:20 AM

My friend made up 25 of these for her daughter to give as Christmas gifts. The cost was under $4.00 each.

She took small bound Composition Books (school supplies) and covered with decorative and handmade papers. She added a ribbon for a page marker. She took a pen and covered with coordinating papers.

Mothers were calling her to ask where she bought them. Imagine their delight when she told them she and her DD made each one.

There are papers out there that look like leather, marble, tiles, as well as mulberry, handmade papers, and with just about any theme you can think of. Have fun.

VickiLynn · #8 (**permalink**) 08-04-2004, 05:14 AM

cynstenquest, good idea with the covered books! You could also do it with inexpensive photo albums.

Raggd3 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-29-2004, 01:59 PM

cynstenquist, What kind of papers were used to cover the notebooks?
Was this like a contact paper?
And how did she put them on the pens?

Thanks,

Maryann

cynstenquist · #10 (**permalink**) 08-31-2004, 08:21 AM

Maryann, you can use any type of paper you like - I personally would recommend handmade papers, specialty papers (faux leather, faux suedes), mulberry papers, etc. Any fibrous paper that will bend and give. Use a coordinating paper to cover the "spine" of the book so the completed book looks like a journal. My friend used the Xyron machine which lays down a sheet of adhesive on the back (it is very sticky so you have to be careful when laying paper down). I would personnaly recommend Memory Mount - it's a great water-based glue that collage artists use - Another one is Perfect Paper Adhesive. I've used both and they work equally well. Try your local paper/craft stores or try Addicted to Scrapbooking website. If I can find a picture of one, I'll post.

I made a small book using finger painting paper - has a very smooth surface. I sprayed a bunch of shaving cream onto a plate and generously dropped two or three colors of inks (I used reinkers for stamp pads). Take a fork or a skewer and swirl colors together but not to the point it looks muddy. Then lay your paper into the cream (you'll need to get your fingers into this one!) Pull paper up and gently wipe off shaving cream. what you will have is marbelized paper! Then I found a coordinating handmade paper for spine of book, and the inside flaps of book (gives it a more completed look), added a ribbon and carry in my purse. I use it whenever I see an idea I like or want to sketch out an idea or a grocery list. It's small and convenient and cute!

Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. (I use to teach stamp/paper arts some years ago and making background papers was my weakness).